Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- The European Union must significantly boost relations with Ukraine and five other ex-Soviet republics and make easing Moscow's sway over them a priority, a European Commission report says.

The report proposes to triple EU aid to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to euro1.5 billion by 2020. It says the EU must offer the nations free trade and economic integration because the EU has a vital interest in stability on its borders in the light of Russia's August war with Georgia.

The European Commission wants the EU to sign association agreements providing for economic aid and security and defense consultations. It is silent on future EU membership, something Ukraine desires.

The report says stepping up relations is only possible once there is "sufficient" progress toward democracy, the rule of law and human rights. This is particularly relevant for Belarus, whose authoritarian regime is shunned by the EU but has good relations with Moscow.

The report, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, is to be made public Wednesday

Russia wants to influence countries with large Russian-speaking populations.The EU worries about Moscow's commitment to democracy and wants to pull Russian neighbors closer to Western Europe with promises of trade and growth hoping to secure affordable supplies of energy in the future.

The report says the EU must seek "diversification of energy routes by enabling the ex-Soviet nations to build new and better connected pipelines and oil and gas storage facilities.

The EU wants to see a gas pipeline from the Caucasus fully skirting Russia. Russia is pushing for deals under which Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan will ship their Caspian Sea gas through Russia.

The EU report warns this would make energy supplies more vulnerable.

European Commission officials hope the EU leaders will endorse the plan at a spring summit.